LORETTO, Pa. (May 28, 2008) – Saint Francis University first-year head men’s basketball coach Don Friday announced on Wednesday that he has hired Doug Kraft and Rob Krimmel as assistant men’s basketball coaches beginning immediately.

Kraft joins the Red Flash family from DeSales University, where he was the Associate Head Coach for the men’s program over the past seven seasons. Krimmel remains on the staff after having served eight years as an assistant with former head coach Bobby Jones.

Friday has one remaining spot to fill on his coaching staff. A national search is continuing to fill that vacant spot.

“I am thrilled to have both Rob and Doug on staff here at Saint Francis University,” Friday said. “They are both men of high integrity and will represent our program with class. Doug has a wealth of experience at many different levels, and has had success at every stop. Rob has served as an assistant under coach Jones, a person in which I have the utmost respect, for eight years at the Division I level. I have known both for several years, and I feel very fortunate to have two great coaches and people by my side. I can hardly wait for the first tip in November.”

Kraft brings a total of 23 years of coaching experience to the Red Flash staff, including three years as a head coach at Marywood University (1998-2001) and Stevens State School of Technology (1992-94). During his time at DeSales, which is located in Allentown, Kraft was involved in all facets of the successful NCAA Division III program. He helped guide the Bulldogs to a 142-54 record over seven seasons, including five seasons of 20-or-more wins, three regular-season conference titles, four conference championship game appearances and one ECAC South Region Championship. He was a member of the coaching staffs that won Coach-of-the-Year awards in 2003, 2004 and 2008. DeSales finished 21-6 this past season, averaged 72.8 points per game, and allowed just 62.9 ppg.

Also at DeSales, Kraft served as Fitness Center Manager in 2001-02, and has been the Athletic Recruiting Coordinator since 2002, where he oversaw the recruitment of prospective student-athletes for a 15-sport Division III athletic department.

Prior to his time in Allentown, Kraft served as the head men’s basketball coach and assistant athletic director at Marywood University in Scranton from 1998-2001. He took over a struggling Division III men’s basketball program and helped guide them to the most wins in school history and to its first two playoff appearances in program history. He was named the 2000 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Coach-of-the-Year. As assistant athletic director, Kraft carried out duties as the athletic department’s Recruiting Coordinator, Academic Support Coordinator, and Summer Camp Coordinator.

Kraft began his coaching career as an assistant boys’ basketball coach at his high school alma mater, Conestoga Valley, in Lancaster, where he coached from 1984-92. He moved on to his first head coaching position at Stevens State School of Technology from 1992-94, and served as the school’s lone coach in revitalizing its basketball program. The team went 26-14 over two seasons, and averaged 95.4 points per game. Kraft continued his coaching career while serving as a Graduate Assistant/Volunteer Men’s Basketball Coach at East Stroudsburg University. He served two seasons in that role before being hired as an ESU full time assistant from 1996-98. He also served as ESU’s Interim Head Coach during the summer of 1996.

In addition to his high school and collegiate coaching experience, Kraft has worked basketball camps at Duke University for 11 summers, as well as 13 summers at Eastern Invitational and numerous other camps.

Kraft graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education-Spanish from Millersville University in 1989, and later earned his Masters of Education in Sport Management from East Stroudsburg University in 1996. While at Saint Francis, Kraft will be responsible for the development of the Red Flash post players.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to join the Red Flash family,” Kraft said. “At this time in my career, I was looking for a new professional challenge and Saint Francis University and coach Friday provided it for me. I’m honored to be part of a program with a strong tradition like Saint Francis basketball. I hope that we can make enough of an impact to revive that tradition. I look forward to connecting with the people that make Saint Francis a special place.”

“I have the utmost respect for Scott Coval and his program at DeSales University,” Friday stated. “The constants of their program are simple; they play team basketball, are well taught, and they display class on and off the court. Doug Kraft’s handprints can certainly be found on their success. Doug is a tireless worker, who will make a difference with our recruiting and player development here at SFU. We are fortunate to have Doug join the Saint Francis basketball family.”

A former player at Saint Francis University, Krimmel will embark on his 12th season in Loretto. He was a three-year starter, two-time team captain and a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American while playing for the Red Flash. He received the NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship in 2000, and was the first-ever recipient of the Dr. Philip Benham Scholar-Athlete Award. He joined Jones’ staff at SFU in 2000 and was involved in all aspects of the program. He assisted in on and off campus recruiting, player development, preparing and presenting scouting reports and planning and preparing daily practice plans and workouts. He played a major role in the creation of the annual Saint Francis Boys’ Basketball camp, and served as the Coordinator of the camp. Additionally, Krimmel was the Academic Coordinator for the team, organized team travel, served as the team’s NCAA Compliance Liaison, and was responsible for scheduling of non-conference opponents. He also served as the team’s coordinator of community service activities and received the SFU Community Service Award in 2006-07.

Prior to his coaching career, Krimmel led the Northeast Conference in three-point shooting 1999-2000, and is fifth all-time at SFU in 3-point field goal percentage (39.8 percent). He remains and active participant in the community as part of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Management Team (2000-08).

Krimmel received his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and History with a Pre-Law Concentration in 2000. He then earned his Masters of Education-Leadership from SFU in 2003. Krimmel and his wife Aileen reside in Duncansville. Aileen is also a graduate of Saint Francis.

Under Friday, Krimmel will be responsible for the development of the Saint Francis perimeter and back-court players.

“I am excited about the opportunity to continue my coaching career with coach Friday here at Saint Francis,” Krimmel said. “I have known him since he recruited me as a high school senior when he was an assistant at Bucknell. Since that time, I’ve had a chance to develop a relationship with him and have come to respect the way he approaches the game of basketball.”

“I have watched Rob Krimmel grow throughout the years,” Friday said. “I first came across him as a standout player for Mike Fergus at State College High School. You knew he had something special. He excelled at everything he did. That formula served him well at SFU in the classroom and community, and on the hardwood. Rob knows the challenges of the NEC and, more importantly, he knows what it takes to be a proud Saint Francis alumnus. I know our student-athletes are going to be better because of Rob Krimmel.”

Friday, Kraft and Krimmel have a combined 50 years of coaching experience.